With the Ego10 launched late 2009 and claimed by many to be the best Ego to date, and by some margin, it would seem faintly ridiculous to presume that the new SL could improve on the platform any further.

But with application and direction the team responsible for the development of the Eclipse line of markers have managed to come up with a package that pushes the development of the Ego line ever forward.

Every previous SL has been distinguishable by its blend of swooping exterior lines and light-weight design. There is no exception here. Yes, the SLS may have eschewed some of its classic nose-to-tail features and replaced them with individual body strakes, but the concept of a cohesive design theme through the marker remain. As of course does the diminutive size and weight. At only 834g with barrel, battery and OOPS, the SLS retains its position as the lightest high-end marker available for sale.

But of course the SL has always been about more than just looks and weight. The SL is also used to showcase new and exciting technology from the Eclipse development team. And this year is no different.

The SLS has seen enhancements in three key areas:

- A new SL3 In-Line Regulator and Regulator mount
- Modification of the Cure3+ with inclusion of three different Bolt Inserts
- The introduction of full SLS-to-PC communications

The latter of those upgrades is made possible through proprietary software in the form of the E-Portal. The E-Portal is an application that provides a means of communicating with an Eclipse SLS through the familiar Windows(tm) environment and will give the user control over all aspects of the SLS firmware. It will be possible to:

- Upgrade the Electronic Firmware
From time to time Eclipse will release new versions of the firmware that controls the operation of the Eclipse SLS. This may be to add new features to the current firmware; to improve existing features; to fix bugs in the current firmware; or to accommodate changes in major league rules affecting the way that markers are allowed to operate. The latest version of firmware will be downloadable from the Planet Eclipse website and programmable into the SLS using E-Portal.

- Manage the Control Parameters
E-Portal will display all of the SLS' Control Parameters in one easy-to-read list. Parameters can be read from the SLS, modified and saved for future use. User presets can also be created for different firing mode configurations and saved for future use.

- Customise the Start-Up Splash Screen
E-Portal provides a simple way to create images that can be transferred to the Eclipse SLS in order to personalise the start-up screen. These images can be saved for future use or shared with friends and team-mates. Sample images are also available for download from the Planet Eclipse website.

Where the E-Portal offers enhanced control of the electronics, the new SL3 Regulator gives enhanced control of the pneumatics. The SL3 regulator is a completely new, from the ground up, design of In-Line regulator for Eclipse. Eclipse regulators have always been renowned for their reliability, simplicity and robustness. The SL3 obviously has all of those attributes, but now is even more accurate, has better stability when dealing with fluctuating or decaying input pressure, and has a higher flow capability. Not only that, the all-new seal configuration is now both reversible and replaceable by the user, should the main seal ever become contaminated. All of these features mean that the output of the regulator (the pressure that governs the markers velocity) is now even more tightly controlled over a far wider range of supply pressures from the tank. This means velocity remains stable right down to the last few hundred psi on the tank, giving you more usable shots per fill.

And as promised with the advent of the Cure3+ the new SLS Cure3+ comes complete with three interchangeable bolt inserts. Stock, it comes fitted with the ramped gas transfer option similar to the one seen in the Ego10. And inside the box, together with the optional trigger, optional Valve Guide and other spares, there are two further bolt inserts: A Muffler design, and a Pepper Pot design. A simple pull and twist of the bolt pin allow access to the bolt insert. Simply fit the one that suits your play the best, then pop the pin back in and get back to the field. It couldnt be more simple.

Of course the rest of the SLS is no less feature laden, with the Zick2 Rammer kit, adjustable OOPS fitted to the T-Railed SL frame, choice of two triggers and two valve guides, adjustable LPR; custom MAC solenoid valve with modified porting and of course the 5-Piece Shaft SL2 barrel kit.

As well as the VERY limited run of about 300 SLS (Maximum will be no more than 350) there will also be an exclusive PBNation Owners Badge that you will be able to tag to your user account (Original Owner ONLY) So you prove your right to be part of the Elite SLS Club..

The New Eclipse SLS. Is there really anything else you could ever need?

I really like the idea of being able to download firmware updates straight from the Eclipse website and then being able to upload it to your marker. Almost makes me wonder why they didn't do it sooner. Nonetheless, beautiful marker! Can't wait to see one in person

The '10 I have is my first PE marker ... in the past what have the firmware updates addressed? I would assume it was mostly due to rule changes? I just dont understand why they lock the tourney modes in on the boards and require fw updates to change them. I know of one company who has a "future proof" tourney programming so this is NEVER an issue

...the new SL3 Regulator gives enhanced control of the pneumatics. The SL3 regulator is a completely new, from the ground up, design of In-Line regulator for Eclipse. Eclipse regulators have always been renowned for their reliability, simplicity and robustness. The SL3 obviously has all of those attributes, but now is even more accurate, has better stability when dealing with fluctuating or decaying input pressure, and has a higher flow capability. Not only that, the all-new seal configuration is now both reversible and replaceable by the user, should the main seal ever become contaminated. All of these features mean that the output of the regulator (the pressure that governs the markers velocity) is now even more tightly controlled over a far wider range of supply pressures from the tank. This means velocity remains stable right down to the last few hundred psi on the tank, giving you more usable shots per fill.

Side view of the new SL3 Inline Regulator.

Inside view of the top of the SL3. Note the female threading.

Bottom view of the SL3. Same 1/8" adjustment as always. +/- markings are on the side.

Regulator comes off body and piston/spring come out the top. Bottom can be unscrewed.

Screw the velocity adjuster all the way in and remove the internal assembly.

Separate the two halves of the internal assembly. A black gasket and small white alignment piece will come out.

Close up of the internal pieces.

Inside of the bottom of the adjuster is a small spring.

The SL3 regulator will allow you to shoot your tank down much lower than
ever before. It still self purges (awesome), and on the SLS the length has
been significantly reduced because the regulator screws directly onto the
body. No more FRM or ASA threading. This allows the regulator to sit up
closer to the body than ever before.

Maintenance is a breeze, just unscrew the regulator and the piston comes
right out. For the first time the regulator "seat" (what the piston uses for
sealing) is a user replaceable part. No more sending off your reg or buying a
whole new piston if it is somehow damaged. Replacement is as simple as
changing an o-ring!

I don't know if the regulator will be available seperately, but is is compatible
with current ASA threaded guns, as long as an adapter (seen below) is used.

Adapter for standard ASA threads can be seen in the top right of this photo:

The '10 I have is my first PE marker ... in the past what have the firmware updates addressed? I would assume it was mostly due to rule changes? I just dont understand why they lock the tourney modes in on the boards and require fw updates to change them. I know of one company who has a "future proof" tourney programming so this is NEVER an issue

Not sure what you mean by lock the tourney modes but you can always make changes to accomodate the rules and save it as a user preset. It might say User 1 instead of PSP 14 but I don't see that as being an issue.

Not sure what you mean by lock the tourney modes but you can always make changes to accomodate the rules and save it as a user preset. It might say User 1 instead of PSP 14 but I don't see that as being an issue.

"or to accommodate changes in major league rules affecting the way that markers are allowed to operate."

I am guessing he is referring to the kick in point or a sustain rate which iirc is locked in on the current boards

Not sure what you mean by lock the tourney modes but you can always make changes to accomodate the rules and save it as a user preset. It might say User 1 instead of PSP 14 but I don't see that as being an issue.

Yeah, you can save user presets for different tourney modes, but some people wanted to get their boards re-flashed so that when they chose the "PSP" preset, it is the current PSP mode. Occasionally there are bugs that are fixed in the software. It is VERY rare that you would have to get your board re-flashed, but the good news is that Eclipse has always done it at National events, so no need to send your gun away!

The '10 I have is my first PE marker ... in the past what have the firmware updates addressed? I would assume it was mostly due to rule changes? I just dont understand why they lock the tourney modes in on the boards and require fw updates to change them. I know of one company who has a "future proof" tourney programming so this is NEVER an issue

What? They are are not locked! Every parameter is adjustable. THe Presets just gets you all the setting sto make it legal without having to manually adjust every parameter. But you can then manually adjust them to whatever you like afterwards. Or just ignore the presets altogether and enter each parameter yourself. THe Presets are there to make your life a bit easier and are not "locked" or restrictive in any way.

We are just very nice, and offer you updates that make the Presets current, to make it easier for you.

To be honest, it would be a lot easier if all the leagues could agree one set of rules and stick to them for more than 6 months at a time

What? They are are not locked! Every parameter is adjustable. THe Presets just gets you all the setting sto make it legal without having to manually adjust every parameter. But you can then manually adjust them to whatever you like afterwards. Or just ignore the presets altogether and enter each parameter yourself. THe Presets are there to make your life a bit easier and are not "locked" or restrictive in any way.

We are just very nice, and offer you updates that make the Presets current, to make it easier for you.

To be honest, it would be a lot easier if all the leagues could agree one set of rules and stick to them for more than 6 months at a time

I enjoy the presets a lot. I tinker at home getting my settings the way I want, click save and then I have diff modes for all my styles of play. Semi, PSP, Ramp you name it.

Yea it would be nice if they could figure out a set of solid rules and stick with them. But hey, it's the PSP

"or to accommodate changes in major league rules affecting the way that markers are allowed to operate."

I am guessing he is referring to the kick in point or a sustain rate which iirc is locked in on the current boards

Neither of those things are locked. The boards always have been completely customizable (see my other post). It is mainly for convenience. Many people don't want to set up their own boards and ensure they meet current regulations. Being able to just choose the "PSP" preset and then walk onto the field is GREAT, IMO. Well worth a trip to the Eclipse tent.